Silage is an
integral forage
source across
the province.
January 2014
Agdex 120/32-1
Silage Varieties for Alberta
C
attle producers grow ever increasing amounts of
annual crops for feed (silage, green feed and swath
grazing). Measuring those crop varieties that produce the
highest forage yield becomes increasingly important.
Silage is an integral forage source in feedlots across the
province and has become more prevalent in cow herds as
well. With many producers trying to lower production
costs, swath grazing of cow herds has increased
dramatically in the last few years. It could also be argued
that there is more grain forage than cereal grain fed to
take a market animal from conception to plate.
Participating
organizations
Under the umbrella of the Agricultural
Research and Extension Council of
Alberta, 8 applied research groups
carried out the variety testing project at
12
locations throughout Alberta.
•
Agricultural Research and Extension Council of
Alberta, Sherwood Park, AB, 780-416-6046
•
Battle River Research Group, Forestburg, AB,
780-582-7308
•
Chinook Applied Research Association, Oyen, AB,
403-664-3777
•
Gateway Research Organization, Westlock, AB,
780-349-4546
•
Lakeland Agricultural Research Association,
Bonnyville, AB, 780-826-7260
•
Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration
Association, Falher, AB, 780-837-2900
•
West Central Forage Association, Evansburg, AB,
780-727-4447
•
North Peace Applied Research Association, Manning
AB, 780-836-5230
•
Peace Country Beef and Forage, Fairview, AB,
780-835-6799
Major sponsors
•
Government of Alberta, Agriculture and Rural
Development
•
A & L Canada Laboratories Inc.
•
Association of Alberta Co-op Seed
Cleaning Plants
•
Alberta Seed Growers’ Association
Trial information
This is the fifth year the groups have
conducted forage testing of various
varieties. The data tables show the
summaries from the last two years as
compared to the control variety (shown in bold). Test yield
categories are similar to the crop variety tables and are
further explained below.
Varieties of barley, oats, triticale and peas commonly used
for silage, green feed and swath grazing were included in
the trial as well as new varieties showing good potential
for these uses.
The cereal trials (barley, oats and triticale) were seeded at
recommended seeding density rates and at recommended
fertility; the trial objective was to determine yield and
nutritional values. The pulse mixture trial looked at
increasing the nutritional value of silage, as well as
decreasing nitrogen costs. Thus, the pulse mix plots were
seeded with 50 pounds of 11-52-0-0 only, while the
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